Sample Press Release: NaFFAA

NaFFAA Northern CA Regional Conference Builds Bridges and Dreams at the “new” Northside Community Center on Oct. 25-26, 2003

SAN JOSE, CA, October 13, 2003 — On October 25 and October 26, 2003, the National Federation of Filipino American Associations, Northern California, Region 8 (NaFFAA R8) will hold its regional conference at the soon-to-opened Northside Community Center in downtown San Jose, 488 North Sixth Street, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The value-packed conference’s theme of “Building Bridges & Dreams” will focus on capacity-building for Filipino non-profit and community organizations. Topics range from building community centers, building media relationships, building economic development projects, building empowerment to impact public policy and bridging the digital divide, best practice in fundraising, bridging Philippine projects to the US, and issues of consumer abuse.

Ben Menor, President & CEO of FilAmCDC/Northside Community Center and NaFFAA’s Director for Programs and Development explained that Filipino non-profit organizations will expect to benefit from the intensive weekend of panel discussions, workshops, and networking activities. “Capacity-building,” according to Ben Menor, “means maximizing everything you have within your organization so you can accomplish your mission.”

Although the “new” 16,500 square-foot Northside Community Center does not officially open its doors to the public until its November 8 and 9, 2003 Grand Opening festivities, the conference attendees will be among the first clients of the volunteer-managed community event coordinators from the center’s event management and catering services group.

The conference is open to NaFFAA members and non-members. The 2-day conference fee includes continental breakfast and lunch: $50 for members and non-members alike and $25 for students and seniors. Discounted hotel rates in the San Jose area are also available through Cheryl Platon, NaFFAA Region 8’s Youth Representative at (408) 977-4005.

For more information, please contact the following: Rodel Rodis, NaFFAA Region 8 Chair at (415) 334-7800 or rodel50 @ aol.com, Marivic Bamba, NaFFAA Region 8 Vice-Chair at (415) 239-7292 or bambavi @ yahoo.com, and Cheryl Platon, Northside Community Center’s Youth Coordinator at (408) 977-4005 or cherylplaton @ filamnorthside.org.

NaFFAA is a private, non-profit, non-partisan tax-exempt organization that was established in 1997 to promote the welfare and well-being of all Filipinos and Filipino Americans throughout the United States. It is also recognized by Washington policy makers, private industry, and other advocacy groups as a strong voice for Filipinos and Filipino Americans.

The Filipino American Community Development Council, Inc./Northside Community Center is a community development organization that provides opportunities and comprehensive services for its intergenerational and intercultural clients, especially seniors, youth, and families of the immigrant community and underserved groups in Santa Clara County. The center serves as a model for future community centers that plan to include senior housing as one of its collaborative efforts.